Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Colours, tastes and smells of the Middle Ages

БНР Новини
9
Photo: MODVS VIVENDI

A journey back in time, an immersion in the colours, tastes and smells of life in the Middle Ages – not just in Bulgaria, but in Byzantium, eastern, western and northern Europe, the Latin Empire and the Middle East.  There’s no need for a time machine or supersonic aircraft for this journey.  On 5 and 6 July it will all unfold before your very eyes at Sofia’s first medieval fair.  The event is being organised by Bulgaria’s medieval society MODVS VIVENDI, taken from the Latin for ‘way of life’.  Modvs Vivendi is an NGO that attempts to re-create a realistic picture of what life was like in this fascinating period, not just from depictions in history books but also using experimental archaeology and historical reconstructions.  A medieval camp with tents will be set up in the grounds of Boyana Church, a place symbolic of the era.

Снимка

Kalin Yordanov, president of Modvs Vivendi told Radio Bulgaria what residents and visitors to the Bulgarian capital can expect to see there:

“Over these two days we’ll be performing a ‘living history’ and historical reconstructions, re-creating the arts, crafts, fighting techniques, culture and everyday life in the period from the twelfth to the fourteenth century, with typical scenes from Bulgaria, Byzantium and the Latin Empire.  There’ll be a number of different zones with a range of attractions.  We’re creating an open-air museum exhibiting medieval dress, weapons and everyday items.  There’ll also be numerous demonstrations, presentations, seminars and performances.  We’ve organised a programme rich in concerts with Early Music.  Then there’s the small medieval market.  It’ll be a fantastic experience for people living in and visiting Sofia, enabling them to come face-to-face with the middle ages in a very real way.”
Some of Modvs Vivendi’s members have spent time delving into medieval cuisine and translating old, authentic recipes from Byzantium, western Europe and even from the Arab world.  “Medieval cuisine is awash with different flavour combinations:  sweet ‘n sour, or sweet-mustardy and salty, and they also used exotic herbs and spices to the full“
, explains Kalin Yordanov.  There’ll be an opportunity to taste medieval food and drink at the fair which is bound to be a feast for everyone’s senses.  Fans of the drink of the gods will be able to enjoy wine from the French court known as hippocras or piment, they can try mead and Byzantine wine made from rose jam.  Commenting on the surprises to be discovered at the fair, Yordanov adds:

“We will be demonstrating a selection of the crafts which we’ve been trying to re-create over the years.  They include book-binding, weaving on a reproduction medieval portable loom, embroidery of medieval patterns, medieval shoe-making from archaeological finds, making riveted plate armour and striking medieval coins.  We’ll be demonstrating medieval fighting techniques, historical fencing, there’ll be a chance to fire reproduction bows and arrows.  And we’ll also be playing some medieval games.”

English:  Christopher Pavis

Photos: MODVS VIVENDI



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Emma, the new humanoid robot of the Varna Regional Library.

Robot Emma to give presentations at Varna library

The Varna Regional Library "Pencho Slaveykov" has acquired a humanoid robot. It was unveiled by the library's director, Radka Kalcheva, during the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the library's American Corner, in the presence of Eric Brasel, the..

published on 11/23/24 4:56 PM

Burgas city center closes for a half marathon on Sunday

1000 participants will take part in the first Burgas Half Marathon, which will take place this Sunday, 24 November. The event will bring together amateurs and professionals of different ages who will compete in three distances - 1 km, 10.5 km and 21 km...

published on 11/22/24 6:14 PM
Photo: Bulgarian school

Girls from the Bulgarian School "St. St. Cyril and Methodius" in Jordan represent Bulgaria at event in Amman

Two graduates of the Bulgarian School "Saints Cyril and Methodius" in Jordan presented their achievements at an event at their school "Hadi al Muhammadi" in Amman. The photo, published on the Bulgarian school's Facebook page , shows third graders..

published on 11/22/24 1:31 PM